CLIMA | Xavier Cortada

CLIMA features new environmental works by Xavier Cortada, as well as a broad range of earlier works by the artist–including paintings, drawings, videos, digital art and his polar installations.

The solo show will run from November 30th, 2015 through January 29th, 2016 at the Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment 4800 Palm Avenue, Hialeah, FL. Hialeah, Florida’s fifth largest municipality, is one of the state’s most vulnerable cities: A four-foot rise in sea level will flood 70% of the population. During the first twelve days of the exhibit (which coincide with the Paris Talks), Cortada will convene a series of daily participatory performances and panel discussions addressing sea level rise, global climate change and biodiversity loss.

The CLIMA exhibit is presented by the City of Hialeah in partnership with Florida International University Sea Level Solutions Center SLSC, Florida International University College of Arts & Sciences School of Environment, Society and the Arts SEAS, the Florida International University College of Architecture + The Arts CARTA, and the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy –with special acknowledgement of the support from the Rauschenberg Residency/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.

CLIMA will feature the following works by Cortada, who serves as Artist-in-Residence for Florida International University‘s College of Arts & Sciences School of Environment, Society and the Arts SEAS and FIU’s College of Architecture

Cortada will create progressive paintings on two solar panels onsite. The background will depict diatomsthe original solar panels used by FIU scientists to research sea level rise. Inspired by CLIMA’s daily panel discussions, Cortada will paint additional images to the solar panels every day.

Honoring the Future is also presenting an ancillary exhibit at the site, Climate Art & Action, The touring exhibit features works by ten American artists motivated by concern over climate change. It was last on exhibit during August-September at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regional headquarters in Philadelphia. One of the works featured is a detail of Ichthys, a digital artwork created by Miami artist Xavier Cortada to welcome the Pope’s climate change message and U.S. visit. Honoring the Future used Cortada’s image as part of an effort welcoming Pope Francis on the eve of his visit to Washington, New York and Philadelphia.

The opening of the exhibit also coincides with the beginning of Miami Art Week. On that Friday, CLIMA presents “Tirandonos pa’l Solar,“ a party encouraging solar choices and celebrating Art Basel week. The event will feature Cortada’s SOLAR, a triptych on three solar panels in support of a ballot initiative proposed by Floridians for Solar Choice, and engage attendees with Brighter Painting and other performance and participatory art projects.